Lay Ministry Formation Program

Mission Statement

Since Christian initiation is the call to active participation in the mission and ministry of the Church and realizing that each person has gifts and charisms share in the service of the people of God, the Office for Ministry Formation of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois seeks to prepare more effective volunteer, part-time, and full-time ministers by providing academic, spiritual and pastoral formation which gives participants a broader sense of self, Church and God.

The ministries which exist and are at work at this time in the Church are all, even in their variety of forms, a participation in Jesus Christ's own ministry as the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep, the humble servant who gives himself without reserve for the salvation of all.

Pope John Paul II

Christifdeles Laici, #21

Candidates...

• Possess a personal desire to serve others by leading them in the practice of the faith.

• Are mature in their active practice of the faith.

• Possess the ability to work collaboratively with others.

• Adhere to contemporary theology and ecclesiology.

• Have the ability to read, comprehend and reflect on college level material.

• Have passed the GED or have earned a high school diploma.

• Be baptized and confirmed and if married, the marriage should be recognized as valid by the Church.

• Have some active parish/institutional experience.

• Have the support and consent of their families.

• Are recommended formally by their pastor, institution head, or when applying independently, Church leadership.

For college credit option, please contact Benedictine University at Springfield.

More Information:

Please send information on the following specializations:

• ___ Adult Faith in Life Issues

• ___ Catechetical Leadership Ministry

• ___ Clinical Pastoral Care Ministry

• ___ Liturgical Ministry: Liturgical Leadership

• ___ Liturgical Ministry: Christian Initiation of Adults Leadership

• ___ Youth Ministry

Name: ________________________

Address: ______________________

City: _________________________

State: _____________ Zip: _______

Phone: _______________________

E-Mail: _______________________

Mail to:

Rev. Msgr. David S. Lantz, Director
Office for Ministry Formation
1615 West Washington Street
P.O. Box 3187
Springfield , IL 62708-3187
Telephone: 217-698-8500
Fax: 217-698-0802